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RUSSET-NAPED [GRAY-NECKED] WOOD RAIL Aramides [cajaneus] albi
ventris 38–43cm. Very large, handsome rail of fresh and brackish wetland
habitats, typically with wooded or other cover nearby, from swampy woodland
and forest understory to ponds, lakes, roadside ditches; locally in mangroves.
Details of distribution and extent of range overlap with Gray-cowled Wood
Rail (both formerly considered conspecific as Gray-necked Wood Rail) await
elucidation; note voice, head pattern. Also cf. Rufous-necked Wood Rail. Juv.
has grayish belly, duller bare parts, duller and less well-defined nape patch.
SOUNDS: ‘Song’ mainly early and late in day in spring–summer, a rollicking,
clucking and shrieking phrase repeated over and over, koh-koh KWIdi-KWIdi..., or koh koh-koh ki-KWIdi-
KWIdi..., at times in crazed-sounding duets; cf. wood quails. Sharp clucking shrieks when disturbed,
occasional low grunts when foraging. STATUS: Fairly common in n. lowlands, locally to 1200m. (Mexico
to Costa Rica.)
GRAY-COWLED [GRAY-NECKED] WOOD RAIL Aramides cajaneus 38–
43cm. Replaces Russet-naped Wood Rail in most of Costa Rica (both formerly
considered conspecific as Gray-necked Wood Rail). Habitat and habits similar
to Russet-naped. Averages shorter bill and legs, longer tail than Russet-naped,
best identified by song; lacks contrasting russet nape patch (nape diffusely
washed brownish), but some poorly marked Russet-naped may be similar,
perhaps imms., which also may have relatively short bills (study needed). Also
cf. Rufous-necked Wood Rail. SOUNDS: Rhythmic shrieky honking and braying
EE-ohr EE-ohr…or OHR-ki-di OHR-ki-di..., sometimes with cadence
suggesting a braying donkey; at times alternated with or preceded by fairly rapid series of (up to about 10)
low clucking hoots, koh-koh..., KI-di-hohr, KI-di-hohr.…Quality similar to Russet-naped Wood Rail but
rhythm different, often slightly slower-paced. Cf. wood quails. STATUS: Fairly common to common on
Pacific slope (except far north), locally inland to 1500m, and on extreme s. Caribbean slope. (Costa Rica
to S America.)
RUFOUS-NECKED WOOD RAIL Aramides axillaris 29.5–31.5cm. Gallinule-
size rail of mangroves, wooded swamps, semi-deciduous forest. Tends to be
skulking and elusive, but can be found feeding quietly along mangrove edge, on
open mudflats near cover, on quiet forest trails. Adult distinctive, with bright
rusty head, neck, and breast, blue-gray upper back, black vent and undertail
coverts; juv. has dirty grayish head and neck, soon replaced with adult-like
plumage. Cf. Russet-naped and Gray-cowled Wood Rails. Often in same areas
as larger Mangrove Rail. SOUNDS: Mainly in spring–summer, a steady series of
piercing, semi-metallic clucks repeated steadily, kyih! kyih!, 2–3 notes/sec, or
(dueting?) with faster, rhythmic cadence, such as ki ki-ki kyi, ki ki-ki kyi…or ki ki-ki, ki-ki-ki, ki ki-ki,
ki-ki-ki..., 4–5 notes/sec. STATUS: Uncommon locally Sep–early May (year-round?) on n. Pacific coast;
and Apr–Sep (year-round?) inland, to 1500m in Northern Mts. (Mexico to S America.)
MANGROVE [CLAPPER] RAIL Rallus longirostris 31–37cm. Large rail of low
mangroves, adjacent mudflats and channels. Mostly seen as singles at mangrove
edge, especially early and late in the day; prefers to run rather than fly. No
similar species in Costa Rica. Note long, mostly orange bill, grayish upperparts
with dark back striping, peachy tones to breast, barred flanks, and orange-red
legs. Juv. has dusky grayish neck and underparts with little or no flank barring,
duller bill and legs; like adult by fall. SOUNDS: Loud clucking chatters year-
round, typically with distinctive stuttering rhythm, keh-keh-kehrrr keh-keh keh-
keh-kehrr..., 4–6 notes/sec, mainly for 5–10 secs but can be prolonged in duet
or when triggering other birds. Alarm call an overslurred rasping growl grrehrr, about 0.5 secs.
STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon but local around Gulf of Nicoya; first found Costa Rica in 2000s
and may be more widespread than shown (e.g., reports from n. Pacific coast). (Honduras to S America.)
